Breaking Chains for Change: The New Vision Baptist Inner-City Ministry

Oct. 3, 2013

Written by

Laura Beth Payne

When talking about breaking cycles of poverty, abuse, and violence, Michael Davis believes relationships are the most powerful antidote.

Davis is the director of New Vision Baptist Church Inner-City Ministry, an arm of the church dedicated to educating and empowering urban families. The ministry’s tagline, “Breaking chains for change,” expresses his heart for building relationships with those in need.

“If we want to see change in the community, we need to meet the families where they are,” he says. “We need to go to them instead of them coming where we are.”

One of most effective ways of helping families is through school-based initiatives for children, which Davis coordinates in partnership with other area churches, organizations, businesses, and government representatives. L.I.O.N.S (Learning In Our Neighborhoods), is a homework help program where volunteers provide tutoring for children after school hours at Murfreesboro Housing Authority Project Go sites. Davis also oversees a Lunch Buddy program for 11 city and county schools, interviewing volunteers and matching them with children from housing developments.

Davis says the schools have embraced the program and noticed the difference it makes. “They love the program,” he says, “And they appreciate the volunteers. They can see the changes in the students’ attitudes and grades.”

While L.I.O.N.S. and Lunch Buddies are two of the ministry’s largest outreaches, Davis also directs Moving Forward, a mentoring program for single mothers, and coordinates other service events during the year.

To learn how you or your organization can partner with New Vision Inner-City Ministry on these or other opportunities, contact Michael Davis at Michael.Davis@newvisionlife.com.